Hooray to the little girls who have grown up and are making contributions to science every day! In honor of International Women's Day on March 8, Mattel is making 17 new Barbie dolls that include an Inspiring Women line—featuring dolls based on historical female figures, and Shero… Read More

All of the data returned for the second drill target, called "Lake Orcadie 2," support the decision to attempt to acquire sample at that location using feed-extended drilling. So the weekend plan is focused on drilling, which is planned for the second sol (1982). But first, on Sol… Read More

Dr. Mike Bland is a research space scientist, at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center, who just published a paper with engaging information on Kerwan crater. Kerwan is located on Ceres, the dwarf planet that has been the subject of mass media coverage in the past two years. Scientists… Read More

It is not too late to signup for free GIS training by the RPIF at LPSC -- (Planetary Image Analysis with ArcGIS — March 18, Sunday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Waterway 7-8). Here is the registration page for the workshop: https://goo.gl/D9BTS1

The tactical planning schedule was delayed by 2 hours today so that we
would have the latest data from Sol 1977 available for planning. When
the data arrived, it quickly became clear that the feed-extended
drilling did not complete as planned. However, the new drilling
technique… Read More

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Winnipeg Lacus for a feature on Titan. For more information, see Titan's North Polar Lakes and Seas map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the theme "word for 'snake' in various languages" for faculae on Mercury. For more information about themes, see the 'Categories' page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for seven craters on Mars: Dechu, Jaisalmer, Kenge, Kilmia, Qara, Topola, and Yelwa. For more information, see Mars maps MC-2, MC-6, MC-8, MC-9, MC-21, MC-22, and MC-24 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

We got lots of good news this morning: The DRT brushing of the potential drill target completed successfully,
as did SAM's recent analysis of the Ogunquit Beach sample, and the
rover is healthy and ready for more! So the weekend plan is focused on
dumping the last of the Ogunquit… Read More